Page 19 of 4-Ever Theirs (4-Ever 1)

Chapter Seven

“Happy hump day, Andi.” Simon grinned as she stumbled into the kitchen with only a T-shirt on. It was one of the guys’, though she had no idea who she’d swiped it from when she’d gone fishing in the laundry basket they shared. That was Cooper’s contribution to the household and she didn’t feel guilty in the slightest about letting him take care of the chore.

“Same to you,” she responded. For a moment, she wondered if he was commenting on her just-fucked look, the day of the week, or the fact that it was his turn today, but then she decided any of the above were funny.

A giggle forced its way past any potential embarrassment threatening to stifle it. Maybe that had been his intention. She studied him as he flitted around their kitchen, grabbing a mug and dumping a bunch of sugar in it, just like she liked.

A few inches shorter than Cooper, he was bulkier. All that time hanging around the jocks had influenced him some. He burned off his constant supply of energy in the gym most days and trained along with many of his patients. Strong and capable, he never failed to impress her.

“Thanks,” she murmured as she wrapped her fingers around the steaming coffee he brought to her at the table. Haze gradually lifted from her mind as she neared the bottom of the brew. Then she looked around, fully awake for the first time and wondered, “Where is everyone?”

“Cooper’s at a meeting with his guidance counselor, setting up his classes for next semester and shit. Reed’s meeting with a couple of investors.” He grew serious for a moment, something that didn’t sit well on his jovial shoulders. “They’re not planning on coming home today. Didn’t want to intrude. I can call them if you’d rather they didn’t stay away. Cooper especially…”

Andi wouldn’t deny that she missed him already, but neither would she make Simon feel like he was any less important to her. She wouldn’t have agreed to this arrangement if that were the case.

“What did he tell you about last night?” she asked. She had no idea what the rules of this new game were.

“That it was the best of his life.” Simon smiled. “I’m happy for you, both of you. Glad that it rocked. I won’t stand in your way if you want more of that.”

“Of course I do,” she admitted.

His face fell for a split second before he smiled, then kissed her on the forehead. “Let me give him a call.”

“Hey, that’s not what I meant.” She snagged Simon’s hand and drew him back. “I regret not doing this sooner. When we had more time. Is it weird for you, knowing that I slept with him last night?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” He shrugged. “It’s a lot of pressure, though, to live up to the matching set of shit-eating grins you’re both sporting this morning.”

It shouldn’t have made her heart race to know that she’d pleased their friend, but it did.

“You know me. I don’t like to think too much about stuff. Overanalyze it. I leave that to Reed and Cooper.” Simon winked at her. “All this communicating is stressing me out. I like to jump right in to doing.”

Andi had Cooper to thank for boosting her self-esteem enough to suggest, “Well, if you want to…”

She grabbed the hem of her shirt and began to walk it up her thighs suggestively.

“Christ. Not now.” He slapped his hands over his eyes.

The violent reaction might have offended her if his arousal wasn’t apparent given the thin cotton of his shorts. She laughed.

“If you do that, we’ll never leave the house. I want to spend some time with you.” He cleared his throat. “Aside from all this sex stuff, it really is our final chance to hang. I want to say goodbye properly.”

Just like that, he had her poised on the verge of tears.

“Don’t you dare. If you crack, I will too.” He hoisted her from the chair and spun her so that she faced her room. “Go get ready. Wear sneakers and clothes you can move in. I want to take you to the gorges.”

“Hiking?” She nodded and clapped. It’d been a while since they’d made time to roam around the woods together.

“Stop bouncing until you put a bra on or no one’s going anywhere,” he teased her before snapping a damp hand towel at her and barking, “Hurry up. Some of us didn’t sleep half the day away.”

She heard him loading the dishwasher as she took a record-breaking shower then threw on some clothes. It hadn’t really occurred to her before how they split the household tasks around here. They’d each picked up some slack, making life easier for everyone in the process. Andi would be giving up more than she had realized when she drove off on Sunday.

Staring into the mirror, she wondered for the first time if she was doing the right thing.

“Annnnnnnndiiiiiiiiiiiiiii,” Simon whined, obviously out of whatever tiny portion of patience he had started with. “I’m bored.”

She swallowed hard and ran out to meet him. It was impossible not to smile when his contagious enthusiasm spread to her. They held hands as he drove them to one of their favorite parks. She kept his grip the entire time they walked along the rocky path.

The burning in her thighs felt good, refreshing. It also gave her a sense of control over her body. Whether it was on purpose or not, her roommates knew how to make her feel strong, even when she wasn’t sure that she was.

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